I’m going to crank the I Hate Running Machine up again. It’s been 18 months since my last run (the PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathon in January 2008).

I’d had spurts and stops of running, none more than a week at a time. I have started kayaking, which is fun and good upper body work- here’s where I’ve been:

View Alan’s Kayak Spots in a larger map

and I am getting my mountain bike back into working order this weekend.

But… my health numbers have not been the greatest over the stretch (poor eating, lots of travel, etc) and my A1C numbers have been above where they should be. I need to lose that thing I keep bumping into when I bend over to reach something (e.g. my gut). And lately I have been seeing a few floaters in my left eye (I had a big round of laser treatment in 1993 for diabetic retinopathy).

A running routine, when had one, was the best stretch of fitness I ever had.

Yet, I never really found the elusive high feeling, and I marvel at people who look so damned happy and cheerful as the run (past me). Whatever.

I have been getting emails from Coach Dave about Team Diabetes and I’m thinking its time to join back up, and aim for the half marathon on January 17, 2010.

And in reading the current issue of Wired about the Nike Experiment (Nike+), I just purchased online a new pair of Nike shoes and the sensor, so I can do the Nike+ full data capture and training programs that will work with my iPod Touch.

Revving up. Maybe some power of suggestion. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running. I Love Running.

Did you know... A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the prevalence of diabetes rose 5% annually since 1990 and 'and appears to be linked to increasing obesity'. (from ADA In Diabetes Today)
See more diabetic facts...

Don’t tell anyone, but I am secretly trying to start up running again… and I still hate it. But my A1Cs went over 8 then down to 7.5, and I need to get my glucose in order, and I am tired of thing around my gut, and the demon that sneaks in the house at night and shrinks my pants.

So I am starting with some really short runs, and relying on audio podcasts to keep me distracted. I’m also trying to get out once a week for some kayaking on a lake.

But keep it under your brim for a while. I have no plans to run a race or anything close to that.

For the 1 or 2 people who actually wander by here, I’m not going to be posting every little puny workout (cause they might be little and puny) and will aim for more of a weekly wrap-up. I’m not in training for anything specific except the biggest race- life and health.

I am thinking about running the Runner’s Den 10k in early February, maybe a Grand Canyon hike with friends in March, and cracy enough, some others are trying to talk me into the Las Palomas Sprint Tri-athalon in April… but if you think ihaterunning then you have to know i reallyreallyreallydespiseswimming and not only that, dont have any place to practice.

Variety is it.

For catch up, yesterday I did the 3 miles of the Ralls Road loop, its got those killer steep hills you get coming and going. Felt good, but sore to finish. But I did.

I don’t want to jump to any conclusions after a new running program that consists of 2 runs so far, but I am happy with better lower average blood glucose levels. My 30 day average (which was about what it was the last 2 months at least) was 166, and in the last 14 days, its down to 137.

This might be some positive reinforcement

The engine on the Excuse Chain was steamed up and ready to roll through today, and then my friend @soul4real shamed me on Facebook (from what I can tell she was watching football today), so I planned for an easy afternoon run. It snowed last night, but looked like it was lifting to just clouds.

By the time I got dressed and failed to get my MP3 player working (out of juice) I noticed it was raining,

The Excuse Train conductor was lifting a foot off the brake.

So I said WTF, strapped on my old running shoes, and left the iPhone at home, so was tuneless. Just went for an easy loop around the Strawberry neighborhood, nothing flat, lots of up and down little, but steep, hills. Byt the time I got out there, full fledged snow was falling in big chunky flakes.

So I went about 1.3 miles and opted to walk the last hill home.

There, put the train back in the station.

It’s time to get the creaky old body in motion. The last year has been a poor one for health, and I have pinned to my fridge my last Hemoglobin A1c score, a worst ever 8.3. A year ago I was at 6.0.

The weather here in Strawberry has been sunny and near 70 in the daylight, so it was beautiful for a jaunt down Fossil Creek Road past the Strawberry Schoolhouse and back…. really slow.

I am looking at some new tracking sites, tons of them to choose from. I have an account on DailyMile and tossed up their widget on the sidebar. I was also looking at MapMyRun.com which has an iPhone app– I really would like one just to enter log results, but the MapMyRun one is supposed to use the iPhone GPS to track your route. I messed it up today cause I think I pressed the home button putting the phone away, so nothing was recorded.

Maybe a hike tomorrow, or spend some time getting the bike in gear.

It’s been almost a year since the last time I ran, the last running being crossing the finish line for the 2009 Phoenix Rock and Roll Marathon.

I still hate running.

But I need to start; as much as I did not like running (and must admit it is not horrible, I just don’t reach the endorphin flowing joy stage), it was the only thing that helped me lose weight and keep my A1C numbers low.

It’s not been the healthiest of years, and my last A1C was bad, an 8.3.

So I have to start something.

I am not sure if it will be running, but its on my mind.

Maybe a 10k.

Maybe

Since I’ve been picking up a string of comments about my Camp Glyndon post, I set up a Facebook group as a place for former campers (counselors too, of course) to re-connect.

Check out the Hey Camp Glyndon group.

If someone has a better logo, please send it my way. That is the best I could whip up on short notice. And find some old photos! Who still has a t-shirt?

A few months back i ranted a bit about the Medtronic Global Heroes program which discriminated against over 40 runners or ones with diabtetes more than 15 years for the Minneapolis Marathon.

Who would have guessed, they are dropping these conditions for 2009 according to an email I just received:

Alan,
Thank you for your previous comments regarding the Medtronic Global Heroes program and its guideline related to runners with diabetes. As you know, under that guideline, runners with diabetes older than 40 who were diagnosed with diabetes more than 15 years ago were ineligible to apply.

As promised, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and the Medtronic Foundation committed to review and re-evaluate this guideline following the close of the 2008 program applications. We thought you would like to know that we are removing this guideline for the 2009 program.

Of course, runner safety remains the primary concern of both Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and the Medtronic Foundation. However, our organizations agree with feedback from the Global Hero selection committee that the current application and registration process ensures runner safety without applying the age restrictions.

Future selections will rely on an applicant’s personal running and health history, along with that runner’s physician approval, as the primary determinant, not age or disease longevity.

Again, we thank you for your feedback and interest in this program. We hope you will consider reapplying, or refer others that would enjoy the Global Heroes experience.

i doubt it means much for me as I am for now, retired from running, but felt it was worth sharing with a bit of Hallelujah.

Yep, I truly hate running. still

I Think I Remember These

Originally uploaded by cogdogblog.

I am still trying to figure out if I want to keep running. I am pretty PO-ed about the Medtronic “you must be under 40 to run our race” flap, which might be enough motivation to train.